Apparatus for making slide fastener

ABSTRACT

A slide fastener and method and apparatus for making the same are disclosed wherein coils of filamentary material are secured to adjacent edges of a pair of carrier tapes. Each coil of filamentary material is formed from a filament having a specially shaped cross section which is arranged in a mirror image relationship with respect to its adjacent filamentary coil. During formation of the filamentary coils, they are simultaneously wound on a mandrel having differently shaped surfaces which aid in the final shaping of each coil.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Divisional Application of pending Application Ser. No. 596,109filed July 16, 1975, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,034,056, as a DivisionalApplication of parent application Ser. No. 380,323 filed July 18, 1973,now U.S. Pat. No. 3,906,595).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to slide fasteners and to a method and apparatusfor making the same, and in particular to the structural formation ofthe filamentary coils for slide fasteners.

2. Description of the Prior Art

It has been conventional for the coil of slide fasteners to be formedfrom filamentary material with each convolution of the coil having headand heel elements interconnected by leg elements; simultaneous formationof a pair of coils has been accomplished on coiling machines which shapethe convolutions of the filamentary coils on suitable mandrels andintermesh such coils after their formation.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,937,297, 2,296,880, 2,300,442, 2,300,443, 2,541,728,2,643,432, 2,907,066, 2,973,554, 3,053,288, 3,145,523, 3,152,433,3,196,489, 3,553,782 and 3,609,827 are representative of the prior artin illustrating a variety of cross sections for the interlockingelements of slide fasteners as well as a variety of methods andapparatuses for forming the same.

One of the problems associated with the prior art devices is that themanufacture of slide fastener coils having non-circular cross sectionshas resulted in slide fasteners that have a low index of flexibility anda high index of rigidity. While the prior art devices may have beensatisfactory for the particular purpose for which they were designed,they have not been satisfactory in maintaining the proper flexibilityfor the different types and sizes of slide fasteners utilizingfilamentary coil of the plastic type. The many methods and apparatus inthe prior art have served their particular purposes with respect to thetypes of slide fastener coils for which they were designed. However,such prior art arrangements have always utilized a symmetricalassociation of coiling steps and mandrel configuration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is summarized in a slide fastener device and amethod and apparatus for making the same wherein the slide fastenerdevice includes a pair of carrier tapes having edges disposed adjacenteach other, a pair of interengaging filamentary coils respectivelyattached to the edges of the carrier tapes with each coil having aplurality of convolutions disposed along a longitudinal axis parallel toa longitudinal axis defined by its carrier tape edge, each convolutionof each coil including a bight element with first and second linksextending therefrom and a connector member interconnecting a link of oneconvolution with a second link of an adjacent convolution, the bightelements of one coil being generally adjacent the connector members ofthe other coil, the first links of one coil engaging the first links ofthe other coil in a first pattern, and the second links of one coilengaging the second links of the other coil in a second patterndifferent from the first pattern whereby the filamentary coils areeasily flexed with their respective carrier tapes.

An object of the present invention is to increase the flexibility of aslide fastener without decreasing the strength of the slide fastener.

Another object of the present invention is to increase the strength of aslide fastener while reducing the size thereof.

This invention has another object in that the coils of a slide fastenerdevice are meshed together in a nesting arrangement.

Another object of this invention is to eliminate sharp edgedinterlocking elements on the filamentary coils of slide fasteners.

Still another object of this invention is to construct the coils of aslide fastener by a reorientation of the geometry of the filamentarycoils.

The present invention has another object in that the coils of a slidefastener are made by wrapping a generally elliptical filament around amandrel having asymmetrical surfaces.

It is a further object of the present invention to construct a coilforming mandrel with differently shaped sloping surfaces about which apair of filamentary coils are wound into predetermined shapes.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial front elevation view of a slide fastener embodyingthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial front elevation view of the right hand coil of FIG.1 on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation as viewed from the right of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing a rear elevation view ofthe right hand coil of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view taken along line 10--10 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation as viewed from the right of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view taken along line 13--13 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a partial front elevation view of the coils in FIG. 1 inmating positions;

FIG. 15 is a side elevation view as viewed from the right of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a partial rear elevation view of the detail shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a side elevation view as viewed from the right of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a partial elevation view with parts in section of a coilingapparatus embodying the present invention;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged elevation view of the top portion of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the mandrel of FIG. 18 on an enlargedscale;

FIG. 22 is a partial cross sectional view taken along line 22--22 ofFIG. 21 with parts added;

FIG. 23 is a partial cross sectional view taken along line 23--23 ofFIG. 21 with parts added;

FIG. 24 is a partial front elevation of FIG. 21 with parts added;

FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram illustrating the relative initialpositions of the two coils being wound on the mandrel at the beginningof a winding operation;

FIG. 26 is a view similar to FIG. 25 wherein the two coils are displaced90° from the initial position of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a view similar to FIG. 25 wherein the two coils are displaced180° from the initial position of FIG. 25; and

FIG. 28 is a view similar to FIG. 25 wherein the two coils are displaced270 ° from the initial position of FIG. 25.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is embodied in a slide fastener illustrated inFIG. 1 as including a slider and pull assembly 5 which is movedlongitudinally along a pair of stringers for opening and closing theopening in a garment or the like as is well known in the art. Thestringers include a pair of carrier tapes 7 and 9, the adjacent edges ofwhich are provided with interlocking elements made of a suitable plasticfilamentary material, such as a nylon, a polyester, or the like. Asviewed in FIG. 1 the interlocking elements are designated as theright-hand filamentary coil 10 which is suitably secured to the edge ofthe carrier tape 9; the left-hand filamentary coil 110 is similarlysecured to an adjacent edge of the left-hand carrier tape 7. The termsleft, right, front, rear, etc. are being used herein to order tofacilitate the description of the structural components.

As is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the filamentary coil 10 is definedby a series of convolutions each of which includes a bight element 12with its opposite ends having links 14 and 16 and with a connectormember 18 interconnecting the front link 14 of one convolution with therear link 16 of an adjacent convolution. The filament of the coil 10 mayhave any suitable cross-sectional configuration that approaches anelliptical shape; i.e., the exact parameters of the major and minoraxes, may vary widely but they may not be equal as in the case of acircular cross-sectional configuration. In accordance with the presentinvention the elliptical cross section of the filament of the coil issubstantially the same throughout its length and the appearance thatcertain components of each convolution may be of different sizes thanother components is not primarily accomplished by a deformation of theparticular component but rather is accomplished by a reorientation ofthe major and minor axes of each convolution's components with respectto each other. While it is not necessary for the purposes of the presentinvention, it will be noted that the bight element 12 is slightlyenlarged along its major axis because of the apparatus utilized incoiling filamentary material; i.e., the bight element 12 is physicallyfolded or wrapped around a surface small enough to cause a high unitpressure whereby the bight element 12 is slightly compressed against asurface perpendicular to its minor axis causing a slight reduction inits minor axis and a correspondingly slight enlargement of its majoraxis (see FIG. 13).

As viewed in FIG. 4, the major axis of the front link 14 is inclinedapproximately 60° from the vertical which defines the longitudinal planein which the filamentary coil 10 is disposed. The connector member 18,which connects adjacent front and rear link 14 and 16 is shown in FIGS.5 and 6 to be generally opposite the bight element 12; the major axis ofthe filament of the coil 10 at the connector member 18 is shown in FIG.7 to be rotated approximately 60° counterclockwise from that of thefront link 14 of FIG. 4, i.e., the major axis of the connector member 18substantially coincides with the vertical defining such longitudinalplane.

The rear link 16 is more clearly illustrated in FIGS. 8-10 whichrespectively resemble FIGS. 2-4 but which differ therefrom in that themajor axis of the rear link 16 is displaced 90° counterclockwise fromthat shown in FIG. 4 for the front link 14. Thus, the major axis of theellipse forming the rear link 16 is inclined approximately 30°counterclockwise from the vertical which defines the above longitudinalplane (see FIG. 10).

The bight element 12 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is generally opposite tothe connector member 18 and its cross section is substantially the sameas that shown for connector member 18 in FIG. 7. However, inasmuch asthe bight element 12 is slightly compressed along its minor axis asdiscussed above, the cross section of the bight element 12 of FIG. 13 isnot identical to that of FIG. 7. The major axis of the bight element 12is shown in FIG. 13 to be rotated approximately 30° clockwise from thatof the rear link 16 of FIG. 10; i.e., the major axis of the bightelement 12 substantially coincides with the vertical defining the abovelongitudinal plane.

The filamentary coils 10 and 110 have substantially the same componentsso that a detailed description of coil 110 is being omitted for the sakeof brevity and the corresponding components merely being identified withthe same reference numerals with 100 added. For example, eachconvolution of the left hand coil 110 includes a bight element 112,front and rear links 114 and 116, and a connector member 118; inaddition, the coil 110 is disposed in mirror image relation to the coil10 so that bight elements 12 and 112 face each other when the slidefastener of FIG. 1 is opened.

A portion of the slide fastener coils 10 and 110 is illustrated in FIG.14 in a closed position and the front links 14 and 114 are nested intocontact with each other in a generally parallel arrangement. As isapparent from FIGS. 2 and 15, each front link 14 and 114 has a geometrythat is continuously changing because each coil 10 and 110 is formed inthe general construction of an open helix. The geometry of coil 10changes from its front link 14 to its bight element 12 by reorientationof the cross-sectional major axis from its position shown in FIG. 4 toits position shown in FIG. 13, thence from bight element 12 to its rearlink 16 by reorientation of the major axis from its position shown inFIG. 13 to its position shown in FIG. 10, and finally from its rear link16 to its connector member 18 by reorientation of the major axis fromits position shown in FIG. 10 to its position shown in FIG. 7.

Each front link 14 (114) has an asymmetrical geometry with respect toits rear link 6 (116). As is shown in FIGS. 2, 14, and 15, the frontlink 14 (114) is generally perpendicular relative to the longitudinalaxis defined by the plane of coil 10 (110); thus, the front links 14 ofcoil 10 are generally parallel to the front links 114 of the coil 110 asbest seen in FIG. 14. As is shown in FIGS. 5, 16 and 17, the link 16(116) is generally inclined relative to the longitudinal axis defined bythe plane of the coil 10 (110); the links 16 and 116 are not parallel toeach other but rather are inclined toward each other as best seen inFIG. 16. The parallel and inclined relationship applies generally to therespective central portions of the adjacent links 14 and 114 and theadjacent links 16 and 116 because the cross-sectional geometry of eachcoil 10 and 110 changes as the components of each convolution is shaped.

When the two coils 10 and 110 are intermeshed, as illustrated in thelower part of FIG. 1, the front side of FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 14 ashaving a generally parallel arrangement while the rear side is shown inFIG. 16 as having a generally herringbone arrangement. In addition, thebight element 12 of coil 10 is nested between the links 114 and 116 andspaced slightly from the connector member 118 of coil 110 (see FIGS. 14and 17), while the bight element 112 of coil 110 is nested between thelinks 14 and 16 and spaced slightly from the connector member 18 of coil10 (see FIGS. 14 and 15).

With the above arrangement, a slide fastener constructed according tothe present invention exhibits a high degree of flexibility togetherwith a high degree of lateral strength. By rearranging the geometry ofeach coil 10 and 110 into an asymmetrical construction, the front andrear sides have different configurations which permits the convolutionsof one coil to be closely interlocked with the adjacent convolutions ofthe other coil whereby the overall strength of the slide fastener chainis enhanced. Since the bight elements 12 and 112 have their major axesoriented to be parallel with and substantially coinciding with thelongitudinal plane in which the coils 10 and 110 are disposed, improperlateral separation of the bight elements from their interlockedarrangement is virtually precluded. For example, the bight element 12has its major axis substantially vertical, as shown in FIG. 13, so thatany lateral movement in a direction toward its connector member 18 wouldbe impeded by the adjacent links 114 (see FIGS. 2 and 14) because itsmajor axis presents a larger dimension than the spacing between theadjacent links 114; any such lateral movement would also affect theopposite bight element 112 which would be similarly impeded in itslateral movemment by the adjacent links 14. Such lateral movement of thebight element 12 is further precluded because its vertical edge portionswould abut the adjacent vertical edge portions of the adjacent pair ofbight elements 112 of the coil 110; similarly, the vertical edgeportions of bight element 112 would engage those of the adjacent pair ofbight elements 12.

The strength of the slide fastener is substantially increased by theabove arrangement which also substantially increases the flexibility ofthe slide fastener. For example, the parallel construction of the frontlinks 14 and 114 as seen in FIG. 14 is symmetrical to the herringboneconstruction of the rear links 16 and 116 as seen in FIG. 16. Such anasymmetrical arrangement permits easy flexing of the slide fastenerperpendicular to its longitudinal axis whereby it may be installed in agarment opening (not shown) without bunching of the garment material andwhereby it may bend with the garment when being worn without agitationand/or irritation to the wearer. The flexibility of the slide fastenerbecomes apparent by comparing the four sides thereof as shown in FIGS.14 - 17 which illustrate a close interlocking arrangement of the coils10 and 110 without sharp edges and/or abutments. Such an arrangement isaccomplished by the constantly changing geometry of each coil 10 (110),i.e., the major axis of the filament of coil 10 (110) varies througheach complete convolution thereof, as shown in FIGS. 4, 7, 10 and 13.This changing of the geometry of each coiled convolution permits theutilization of more convolutions per unit length of the coil resultingin the particular advantages of increasing the longitudinal and lateralstrength of the slide fastener device without increasing the bulk ordiametrical size of the filament or the coil coil. For example, thefront or first link 14 of coil 10 nests with the front or first links114 of coil 110 and, similarly, the rear or second link 16 nests withthe rear or second link 116; as is apparent in FIGS. 14 and 16, suchnesting arrangements present a close fitting, generally parallelconstruction for the first links 14 and 114, and a generally herringboneconstruction for the second links 16 and 116.

The method of making the interengaging coils for the slide fastenerdevice commences with a pair of continuous filaments having generallyelliptical cross sections and being supplied under suitable tension fromsupply spools or the like to a shaping mandrel. The filaments areoriented so that their major axes are substantially parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the mandrel and then are simultaneously wound inopposite directions about the mandrel with one filament being 180° outof phase with the second filament so that they will cross each other.

The coils 10 and 110 are formed with a plurality of convolutions, eachof which includes the four components, namely, the bight element 12, thefirst link 14, the second link 16 and the connector member 18. As eachconvolution is being shaped, its filaments geometry is continuouslychanging by reorienting the major axis of its cross section resulting inan asymmetrical relationship between the first and second links. Thereorientation of each bight element 12 (112) is accomplished by aligningits major axis so as to be generally parallel to a longitudinal axisdefined by the intermeshed coils; the reorientation of each connectormember 18 (118) is accomplished by aligning its major axis so as to begenerally parallel to such longitudinal axis. The reorientation of eachof the first and second links is accomplished by inclining their majoraxes relative to such longitudinal axis and at a different angle betweeneach other. Each of the bight elements 12 (112) is shaped by aligningthe major axis thereof so as to be generally parallel to each other andto the longitudinal axis of the intermeshed coils; each connector member18 (118) is formed by being wrapped around adjacent portions of thebight elements with the connector members of one coil being wrappedaround the bight elements of the other coil.

The oppositely wound filaments are maintained under tension to assurecooperation with the shaping mandrel, after which the interfittingcomponents of the convolutions are maintained in intermeshedrelationship by means of an internal support projecting from the shapingmandrel. The intermeshed coils then pass through a heating stage topermanently form the shaped components and are then removed from suchinternal support.

Apparatus for making the filamentary coils in accordance with thepresent invention is illustrated in FIG. 18 as including a casing 20which houses power driven-drive and gearing assemblies. A drive shaft 22is rotated by any suitable power means such as an electric motor (notshown) and a helical gear 24 is fixed to shaft 22 for rotationtherewith.

The two coilers shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 are substantially similar sothat only one is being described and identified with reference numbers;similar reference numerals with 100 added for correlated components ofthe second coiler are being shown in parentheses. For example, the twocoilers are inclined toward each other and the driving gear 24 mesheswith a helical gear 30 (130) which is fixed to a longitudinally boredshaft 32 (132) that is rotatably mounted and sealed in the casing 20 bya suitable bar 34 (134) and a shaft seal 36 (136) at its lower end andby a ball bearing assembly 38 (138) at its upper end. A shank member 40(140) is fixed to the upper end of the shaft 32 (132) by any suitablemeans such as a clamping block 41 (141) and cap screws 42 (142); seeFIG. 20. A plurality of spaced odontoid or lugs 44 (144) arecircumferentially spaced about the upper periphery of the shank member.A guide pulley or wheel 46 (146) is rotatably carried in the shankmember 40 (140) and the strand of filamentary material of the coil 10(110) progresses from a supply spool 48 (148) through the central boreof the shaft 32 (132) and around the pulley 46 (146) through a slottedportion of one of the projections 44 (144) from which it is wrapped on amandrel, as described below.

The odontoid projections 44 and 144 are shaped so as to support anoval-shaped mandrel holder 49 in a substantially floating condition.Thus, rotation of the shank members 40 and 140 in opposite directionscauses the projections 44 to pass between the projections 144 so thatthe rotatable path of the projections 44 intersects the rotatable pathof the projections 144.

It is to be recognized that the specific details of construction of thetwo coilers described above may take a variety of conventional forms;consequently, further description of the coiler components as well astheir path sequence of operation is being omitted for the sake ofbrevity. For a complete description of coilers that may be utilizedherewith, attention is directed to U.S. Pat. No. 3,053,288 which showsvarious types of coilers and which is incorporated herein by reference.

The floating mandrel holder 49 has a centrally disposed bore whichsupports a mandrel base 50, the lower portion of which is substantiallycircular to conform to the shape of the mandrel holder bore. The upperportion of the mandrel base 50 includes a generally frusto-conicalsurface 52, the apex of which is truncated. A rectangular bore 54extends centrally through the mandrel base 50 and intersects thetruncated surface. As viewed in FIG. 21, an elongated slot 56 isdisposed adjacent the left short side of the rectangular bore 54 and asimilar slot 58 is disposed adjacent the right short side thereof. Agenerally rectangular mandrel 60 fits into the rectangular opening 54.Adjacent the notches 56 and 58 the sides of mandrel 60 are slanted witha decreasing taper defining similarly sloped surfaces 62 and 64,respectively. Also adjacent the rectangular opening 54 the mandrel 60has a rear sloping surface 66 which terminates in the general area ofthe surfaces 62 and 64. As is illustrated in FIG. 23, the side of themandrel opposite to the sloping surface 66 is provided with a frontsloping surface 68, the angle of inclination of which is substantiallygreater than the angle of inclination of the sloping surface 66.

The mandrel 60 is provided with a longitudinally disposed, rectangularslot which receives a rectangularly shaped extension 70 in telescopingfashion. As is illustrated in FIG. 21, a heat box 72 surrounds theextension 70 to provide a permanent set for the shaped coils. Heat isprovided to the heat box 72 by any suitable means, e.g. electricresistance coils or the like.

As illustrated in FIG. 25, the two filaments of the coils 10 and 110 arewound about the mandrel 60 in opposite directions with the two filamentsbeing out of phase by 180°. The coiler heads rotate in oppositedirections so that the filament of the coil 10 advances through a 90°sector in a clockwise direction from the position in FIG. 25 to theposition of FIG. 26; simultaneously, the filament of the coil 110advances through a 90° sector in a counter-clockwise direction. FIG. 27shows the filaments of the coils 10 and 110 being advanced throughanother 90° sector while FIG. 28 shows such filaments being advancedthrough another 90° sector. From FIG. 28, the filaments of the coils 10and 110 will proceed to their initial position, as illustrated in FIG.25.

During the formation of the intermeshed coils, the bight elements 12 and112 are formed by contacting the mandrel surfaces while the connectormembers 18 and 118 are formed by contacting those portions of theopposite filaments which are wrapped on the mandrel. The intermeshedcoils are thus formed by the mandrel and filament interaction and aremoved vertically along the longitudinal axis of the mandrel, as shown inFIGS. 21-24. During their vertical movement, the intermeshed coils 12and 112 are guided by the mandrel extension 70 and are passed throughthe heating box 72 so that the formed intermeshed coils are permanentlyset or cured by heating. After leaving the heating box, the intermeshedcoils undergo an air cooling stage by being moved in such a manner as toprevent stretching or compression, i.e., by two constant speed drivenpulleys or wheels (not shown). After leaving such wheels, theintermeshed coils drop through a distance of about 5 feet whereby theyare finally air cooled and, by hanging downwardly, gravity prevents thecoils from being kinked, convoluted or otherwise disturbed.

Inasmuch as the present invention is subject to many modifications,variations and changes in detail, it is intended that all mattercontained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for forming a pair of coils for a slidefastener device comprisinga pair of rotatable coiling heads foroppositely rotating a pair of filaments having generally ellipticalcross sections, a mandrel operatively associated with said coiling headsabout which the filaments are wound, a plurality of inclined, filamentengaging surfaces rectangularly disposed on said mandrel for shaping thefilaments into intermeshed coils, and one of said surfaces beingasymmetrical relative to the other surfaces whereby the intermeshedcoils are formed with an asymmetrical pattern.
 2. Apparatus as claimedin claim 1 wherein said filament engaging surfaces include threesimilarly inclined surfaces which are inclined differently from the oneasymmetrical surface.
 3. Apparatus for forming a pair of coils for aslide fastener device comprisinga coiler machine including a pair ofcoiling heads for rotating a pair of filaments in opposite directions,which filaments have generally elliptical cross sections, a mandrelholder disposed between said coiling heads, a mandrel carried by saidholder and having a plurality of sloping surfaces thereon, alignmentmeans on said holder receiving said filaments and aligning the majoraxes thereof so as to be generally parallel to a longitudinal axisdefined by the intermeshed coils, and an asymmetrical surface on saidmandrel disposed adjacent the alignment means on said holder and beingsequentially engaged by said filaments to realign the major axes thereofso as to form asymmetrical portions on said intermeshed coils. 4.Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said alignment means comprises apair of notches, one for each filament.
 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim4 wherein said asymmetrical surface comprises an inclined surfaceextending between said pair of notches.
 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim5 wherein said mandrel has an elongated rectangular configuration forguiding the movement of the intermeshed coils after formation thereof.7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said mandrel includes aplurality of surfaces having lesser angles of inclination than saidasymmetrical surface relative to a longitudinal axis defined by theelongated rectangular configuration.
 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7wherein said mandrel includes an extension to facilitate continuedguided movement of the intermeshed coils after their formation andwherein heating means surrounds said extension for permanently settingthe intermeshed coils after their formation.